While lithium-ion (Li-ion), advanced lead-acid, flow, and molten salt batteries have become the most commercially available advanced batteries, there are better battery technologies waiting in the wings, according to a study by Navigant Research. Lithium sulfur (Li-S), lithium solid-state (Li-SS), next-generation flow, and a liquid metal battery are at the level of laboratory-scale research or pilot-scale production levels today.

Li-ion is currently the primary chemistry used for transportation and grid-tied stationary energy storage applications that require next-generation batteries. There will be limitations to Li-ion over time, including challenges related to energy density, safety, and costs, Navigant Research says.

Li-S, Li-SS, next-generation flow, and other advanced batteries could be contenders encroaching on Li-ion’s market share as the world’s most flexible battery chemistry in the transportation and stationary energy storage sectors. The rite of passage for the new battery technologies will be meeting and exceeding the safety expectation of Li-ion batteries at lower price points, the study says.

The demand for, and usage of, advanced batteries for transportation and energy storage is expected to increase substantially. Navigant Research anticipates that the global energy capacity for next-generation advanced batteries is expected to grow from 30.2 megawatt hours (MWh) in 2019 to 6.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) annually in 2025.

Automakers are analyzing their options in next-gen battery technologies for 200-mile electric cars and energy storage systems. BMW recently joined Tesla, Daimler, and Nissan in the energy storage market.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/next-gen-batteries-approaching-commercial-scale-to-compete-with-lithium-ion/feed/0Tesla Energy Launches Second Version of Powerwallhttp://www.hybridcars.com/tesla-energy-launches-second-version-of-powerwall/
http://www.hybridcars.com/tesla-energy-launches-second-version-of-powerwall/#commentsTue, 17 May 2016 17:35:47 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=442682Soon after bringing the first Powerwall energy storage products to U.S. homes, Tesla Energy will be releasing its second version. The battery storage business has become quite competitive since starting up in recent years. That’s driven Tesla to make its system better and more affordable. Tesla says the second generation Powerwall will be on the […]

]]>Soon after bringing the first Powerwall energy storage products to U.S. homes, Tesla Energy will be releasing its second version.

The battery storage business has become quite competitive since starting up in recent years. That’s driven Tesla to make its system better and more affordable. Tesla says the second generation Powerwall will be on the market “in a few weeks.”

Powerwall will now be compatible with inverters manufactured by SMA, a global residential PV inverter company. SMA is the world’s largest inverter manufacturer by revenue and second largest by shipments, according to GTM Research.

The Powerwall 6.4-kilowatt-hour unit stores electricity from home solar systems and provides backup in the case of a power outage. Weighing 214 pounds and standing about 4-feet tall, it retails for around $3,000.

The Powerwall was originally designed to work with inverters from Solar Edge. The Powerwall compatible 7.6 kilowatt StorEdge inverter currently retails on WholesaleSolar.com for $2,944.

The version 2 Powerwall also features simplified handling and wiring requirements. Customers will be able to get their units installed for less, saving them even more money. Another change has been installing a fix to excess noise the first Powerwall was making, and that had received a few customer complaints.

Nissan is another automaker to find a market for energy storage tied into its electric vehicle batteries. The U.K.-based arm of the Japanese automaker has entered a partnership with Enel SpA, Italy’s largest utility. That arrangement will let Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 electric van owners sell excess energy back to the grid.

Tesla expects that interest in its upcoming Model 3 will drive increased sales of its Powerwall.

“It should be noted that these folks are not interested only in Tesla Motors, but also in Tesla Energy,” said Jonathan McNeill, Tesla’s president of global sales and service. “The price point of the Tesla Powerwall is an accessible price point for many of these folks, and so they’re expressing interest in both.”

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/tesla-energy-launches-second-version-of-powerwall/feed/0LG Chem May Be Opening a Lithium Battery Plant in Polandhttp://www.hybridcars.com/lg-chem-lithium-battery-plant-poland
http://www.hybridcars.com/lg-chem-lithium-battery-plant-poland#commentsThu, 14 Apr 2016 18:50:34 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=428746LG Chem’s drive to become the world’s largest supplier of batteries for plug-in electrified vehicles may be supported by a new factory in Poland. The South Korea-based company is looking into opening a lithium battery plant in Poland to meet rising demand from European automakers, according a person familiar with the matter. If it gets […]

]]>LG Chem’s drive to become the world’s largest supplier of batteries for plug-in electrified vehicles may be supported by a new factory in Poland.

The South Korea-based company is looking into opening a lithium battery plant in Poland to meet rising demand from European automakers, according a person familiar with the matter. If it gets the green light, the battery plant will be completed in about a year and a half.

The lithium-ion batteries would be manufactured at LG Chem facilities in Wroclaw, a city in southwestern Poland, the source said. It would have capacity to produce 229,000 EV batteries a year, making it LG Chem’s second largest EV battery factory after China. LG Chem also has battery plants in South Korea and the U.S.

A report by Reuters did not specify proposed capacity for the Poland plant in kilowatt-hours however, and this equating it to “229,000” EVs is unclear as to whether that means EVs with 24-30-kWh batteries like in the Nissan Leaf, or 60-kWh batteries like in the Chevy Bolt.

LG Chem is competing with Samsung SDI and other companies to surpass Panasonic as the world largest EV battery supplier, according the Lux Research. Samsung SDI, which has BMW as one of its customers, is also considering building an EV battery factory in Europe, a Samsung SDI spokesman said.

LG Chem has been supplying batteries to General Motors for the upcoming Bolt. Its EV battery clientele also includes Renault, Volkswagen, Audi and Volvo in Europe, which are all part of 25 automakers globally.

LG Chem and other battery makers will be supplying automakers as they strive to meet tightening European Union regulatory pressure. Having more EVs on its roads is part of the EU’s strategy of hitting emissions reduction targets.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/lg-chem-lithium-battery-plant-poland/feed/0Ghosn: Next-Generation Leaf To Feature 200-Plus-Mile Rangehttp://www.hybridcars.com/ghosn-next-generation-leaf-to-feature-200-plus-mile-range/
http://www.hybridcars.com/ghosn-next-generation-leaf-to-feature-200-plus-mile-range/#commentsThu, 15 Jan 2015 23:48:10 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=240138Nissan has confirmed that its next-generation Leaf will have a battery range long enough to drive from New York City to Baltimore on a single charge. In light of the just-introduced Chevrolet Bolt concept, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said from the North American International Auto Show earlier this week that the next Leaf’s range may […]

]]>Nissan has confirmed that its next-generation Leaf will have a battery range long enough to drive from New York City to Baltimore on a single charge.

In light of the just-introduced Chevrolet Bolt concept, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said from the North American International Auto Show earlier this week that the next Leaf’s range may even exceed Nissan’s current 200-mile estimate.

“We want to be competitive,” Ghosn said at a news conference of a “high output” version of the Leaf. “It may have even more range.”

A new lithium-ion battery will be the source of this new 200-mile range. Nissan said it is developing a battery chemistry that offers an increase in power without adding to the battery’s volume, weight or cost. The next-generation Leaf, complete with this new battery, may likely be released by 2017. The current Leaf model uses a 24 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and has a range of 84 miles.

“You can expect (our) EVs will only get better,” said Ghosn. “They are going to get more affordable and more competitive.”

Nissan also hinted about a possible new battery last month when Ghosn was reported on Japanese TV saying a “250 mile” range Leaf (on the Japanese cycle) was in the offing, and spokesman Jeff Kuhlman said the company will “very soon take the issue of range off the table.” Kuhlman said this would position the Leaf to better compete with the range and trustworthiness of gas-only cars.

Range anxiety – the fear of being stranded when a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) runs out of charge – is a put-off for many consumers considering an electric car. By addressing this issue, the Leaf has the potential to significantly increase its market.

That said, the present Leaf has already been showing its merit in the marketplace. It’s currently the top-selling electric vehicle, with a 42-percent market share in the U.S. Last month, the Leaf also became the second best selling alternative-fuel vehicle, outsold only by the hybrid market’s mainstay, the Toyota Prius Liftback. Worldwide, more than 150,000 Leafs have been sold, making Nissan the world’s leader for plug-in cars.

The positive sales curve is partly attributed to Nissan’s widespread marketing campaign, including cheap leases, a new “No Charge to Charge” promotion, and more. This latter program grants Leaf owners two years of free one-hour charges. Nissan is also planting charging stations, aims to double their number by the end of 2015, and said lower gas prices won’t deter the company’s future EV developments.

“We need to continue to develop the infrastructure for EVs and charging stations, and we will continue working on increasing the effectiveness of our EV technology including battery range,” said Ghosn in Detroit. “These investments will pay off over the long term and should not be dictated by the roller coast price of oil. So our strategies do not change. We will stay the course.”

Even though in the U.S. Leaf sales are higher than the combined sales of Tesla Model S and BMW i3 (the current second and third place BEVs for market share), additional competition is on the horizon. The aforementioned Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla’s smaller sedan, the Model 3, haven’t yet reached the production phase but are looming on the horizon. Both boast ranges of around 200 miles, and are believed likely to launch the same year as the new Leaf. Volkswagen and Infiniti may also release new BEVs with comparable extended ranges.

As for Ghosn, he’s not concerned about these upcoming models.

“We shouldn’t worry about who we are competing with. We should worry about increasing the share of the market” for electric vehicles overall, said Ghosn.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/ghosn-next-generation-leaf-to-feature-200-plus-mile-range/feed/0What To Do With EV Batteries After Their Useful Life?http://www.hybridcars.com/what-to-do-with-ev-batteries-after-their-useful-life/
http://www.hybridcars.com/what-to-do-with-ev-batteries-after-their-useful-life/#commentsThu, 03 Jul 2014 04:07:47 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=164105Although electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining market share, one significant question remains: how can the used lithium-ion batteries be processed after their lifespan in a vehicle? A peer-reviewed Mineta National Transit Research Consortium report, titled Remanufacturing, Repurposing, and Recycling of Post-Vehicle-Application Lithium-Ion Batteries, offers three possible alternatives. Remanufacturing for intended reuse in vehicles by […]

Remanufacturing for intended reuse in vehicles by replacing any damaged cells within the battery shows promise.

Repurposing could be accomplished by reengineering a battery for a non-vehicle, stationary storage application.

Recycling would involve disassembling each battery cell and safely extracting the precious metals, chemicals and other byproducts to be sold on the commodities market or re-introduced into a battery manufacturing process.

The study, conducted by Charles R. Standridge, PhD, and Lindsay Corneal, PhD, can be downloaded for free in pdf form here.

“Lithium-ion batteries provide efficient energy storage,” said Dr. Standridge. “Their use in vehicles will continue to expand, but we must deal with disposition once they fall below regulatory standards for use in on-road vehicles. To address that challenge, our studies have shown that many of these batteries may still hold a significant charge level and thus have additional economic value that can be reclaimed in one of three ways.”

Researchers said results from forecasting models show that by 2035, the number of available post-vehicle-application batteries will range from 1.376 million (conservative) to 6.759 million (optimistic), which is sufficient to justify remanufacturing, repurposing, and recycling efforts.

A cost-benefit analysis was done independently for each of the three processes, with graphs provided in the report. Costs included operations, transportation, material handling, infrastructure development, and facility development. Benefits included avoided costs for battery storage and new battery production as well as sales of repurposed batteries and recovered materials in recycled batteries. Additional costs and benefits were shown for each individual process.

Most significantly, added the team, recycling is economical only if supported by post-vehicle remanufacturing and repurposing applications.

Proprietary processes for remanufacturing, including comprehensive battery testing, have been developed by the team’s research partner Sybesma’s Electronics in Holland, Mich.

]]>The industry is now one step closer to being able to manufacture lithium-ion batteries from North American-sourced battery grade lithium carbonate.

RB Energy Inc. confirmed June 5 it has achieved continuous production of battery grade lithium carbonate (99.9 percent Li2CO3) at its Quebec Lithium operation located at La Corne, Quebec, Canada.

RB Energy Inc. stated Quebec Lithium remains on track to achieve commercial production levels by the end of the 3rd Quarter and “name plate” production (20,000 tonnes per annum) by the end of 2014.

“We are very excited to have achieved continuous production of high grade battery product at Quebec Lithium,” said Richard Clark, president and CEO. “We are now focused on increasing production levels, firstly towards meeting the initial shipping volumes required by our offtake partner Tewoo, secondly to reach commercial production levels and finally, to realize the design production threshold of 20,000 tonnes per annum. The commissioning process is on schedule and we will continue to keep the market updated with regular progress reports.”

According to RB Energy Inc., sales shipments to principal offtake partner Tewoo will begin when lithium carbonate production reaches 55 metric tonnes per week to confirm product quality consistency and to maximize shipping efficiencies. In the meantime, shipments of larger samples to Tewoo and other customers continue on a regular basis.

]]>Alcoa and Phinergy will unveil their jointly developed aluminum-air battery that they say powers electric cars to greater distances.

An Alcoa-Phinergy electric car will take laps around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve to demonstrate the technology, ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix Du Canada in Montreal.

Why go with aluminum-air technology for batteries? Phinergy explained aluminum contains high amounts of energy (8 kilowatt-hour/kilogram). It is also easily recyclable, making it an attractive material for energy systems.

Phinergy’s aluminum-air energy systems is said to use the energy released by the reaction of aluminum with oxygen to generate electric power. The company’s proprietary air electrodes are said to transform Phinergy’s aluminum-air energy systems into highly effective, robust, and reliable clean energy sources.

Phinergy also said it utilizes an advanced battery management system for ever so increasing the energetic utilization of the battery.

The life cycle of aluminum enables to maintain global energetic balance, added the company. Phinergy’s aluminum is said to be produced in places where energy is clean and cheap, such as electricity from waterfalls. It then serves as a means for transporting this energy to places where it is required.

When used in an aluminum-air battery, aluminum turns into aluminum hydroxide. Aluminum hydroxide can then be recycled in the aluminum factory, said the partners, enabling a closed and sustainable life cycle.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/alcoa-and-phinergy-show-aluminum-air-ev-battery-technology/feed/0Lithium Ion Batteries for EVs Here To Stay At Least Until 2023http://www.hybridcars.com/lithium-ion-batteries-for-ev-here-to-stay-at-least-until-2023/
http://www.hybridcars.com/lithium-ion-batteries-for-ev-here-to-stay-at-least-until-2023/#commentsThu, 03 Apr 2014 15:25:01 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=138121Lithium ion batteries are here to stay as the main choice for future hybrids and EVs, according to Navigant Research’s Electric Vehicle Batteries report. The steady increase in sales of electric vehicles (EVs) has led to advances in EV batteries, particularly those using lithium ion (Li-ion) technology. While early hybrid vehicles featured nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) […]

]]>Lithium ion batteries are here to stay as the main choice for future hybrids and EVs, according to Navigant Research’s Electric Vehicle Batteries report.

The steady increase in sales of electric vehicles (EVs) has led to advances in EV batteries, particularly those using lithium ion (Li-ion) technology. While early hybrid vehicles featured nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, Li-ion batteries have taken over, particularly in the latest generation of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs).

“The shift to lithium ion represents a major endorsement of the ability of this chemistry to perform consistently in an automotive environment,” says David Alexander, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “Most of the major automakers have introduced battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models in the last two years, almost all of which use lithium ion batteries for onboard energy storage.”

Navigant added demand for Li-ion batteries will be driven primarily by BEVs throughout the forecast period thanks to the size of the battery required, according to the report. Both hybrid EVs and PHEVs will decline slightly as a percentage of the total, while stop-start vehicles (SSVs) will see their share of the Li-ion battery market steadily increase, as a result of higher volumes of vehicle sales and the adoption of Li-ion batteries in stop-start models as the cost-per-kilowatt-hour decreases.

Navigant explained the report, “Electric Vehicle Batteries,” provides a detailed examination of the growing market for Li-ion batteries, including profiles of the leading Li-ion battery manufacturers and systems integrators. It assesses the relative sizes of the battery markets for different vehicle types, as well as vehicle roadmaps and projected sales for BEVs, PHEVs, and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

In the report, global market forecasts for revenue from Li-ion batteries, segmented by vehicle type and region, extend through 2023. The report also includes a review of the different Li-ion battery chemistries and competing technologies, such as ultracapacitors and NiMH batteries.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/lithium-ion-batteries-for-ev-here-to-stay-at-least-until-2023/feed/0Battery Raw Materials Also Part Of Tesla’s Gigafactory Storyhttp://www.hybridcars.com/battery-raw-materials-also-part-of-teslas-gigafactory-story/
http://www.hybridcars.com/battery-raw-materials-also-part-of-teslas-gigafactory-story/#commentsThu, 27 Mar 2014 04:34:03 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=135617Tesla’s gigafactory has echoes in the political spheres, but is also creating waves in the battery manufacturing and the mining industries. American Manganese Inc., a company mining in Arizona raw materials needed for EV batteries, added its views by stating where they would like to see raw materials sourced. According to the mining company, Tesla’s […]

American Manganese describes itself as a diversified specialty and critical metal company focusing on potentially becoming the lowest cost producer of electrolytic manganese products from its Arizona Manganese Project (pictured).

“The recent (Feb. 26, 2014) announcement by Tesla Motors of the imminent construction of a Lithium Ion Battery Gigafactory has raised the bar for electric vehicle production,” said Larry W. Reaugh, president and chief executive officer of American Manganese Inc. “Initial production from the Gigafactory is scheduled for 2017, and full production scheduled for 2020. At full capacity, the facility would manufacture as many lithium ion batteries as the 2013 total world production.”

Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas are vying to host the manufacturing facility, with Arizona being the most aggressive thus far, as proposed bill 2123 in the state legislature would legalize direct sales of Tesla electric cars within the state.

Tucson Arizona (Pima County) has submitted a formal proposal to Tesla to become the host site.

Another communication from Mohave County Economic Development to Tesla referred to American Manganese’s Artillery Peak Manganese Project as an additional incentive to locate in Mohave County.

American Manganese said it has a patented hydrometallurgical process for the commercial production of Electrolytic Manganese Metal (EMM), Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide (EMD), and Chemical Manganese Dioxide (CMD) from manganese resources.

EMD and CMD are used in dry cell and rechargeable batteries.

Lithium Manganese Dioxide (LMD) rechargeable batteries, also known as spinel, are currently being used in the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf electric vehicles.

American Manganese declared it successfully produced rechargeable lithium ion battery prototypes utilizing high purity CMD from their Artillery Peak manganese resource in late 2012. CMD eliminates the use of expensive electroplating cells and high electricity costs.

“It is my belief that Tesla’s project is concrete evidence of the growth and viability of the electric car market, resulting in greater demand for lithium ion batteries,” said Reaugh. “The need for secure metal feed stocks used to make these batteries; such as Manganese, Cobalt, Lithium, Carbon, and others; will correspondingly increase to meet the soaring electric vehicle demand.”

Reading between the lines, it is clear American Manganese Inc. would like to be the company providing raw materials to this upcoming Tesla gigafactory.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/battery-raw-materials-also-part-of-teslas-gigafactory-story/feed/0A123 Systems Out Of Grid Storage, Focusing On Vehicle Batterieshttp://www.hybridcars.com/a123-systems-out-of-grid-storage-focusing-on-vehicle-batteries/
http://www.hybridcars.com/a123-systems-out-of-grid-storage-focusing-on-vehicle-batteries/#commentsWed, 26 Mar 2014 04:55:46 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=135457A123 Systems is back into the spotlight and taking steps to focus on transportation batteries. The company announced March 24 an agreement to divest of its grid storage business and other assets related to energy storage for telecom and IT data storage applications. The company describes itself as a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate […]

]]>A123 Systems is back into the spotlight and taking steps to focus on transportation batteries.

The company announced March 24 an agreement to divest of its grid storage business and other assets related to energy storage for telecom and IT data storage applications.

The company describes itself as a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate lithium iron phosphate batteries and systems.

A123 stated it is increasingly focused on the transportation market with a particular emphasis on micro-hybrids. This rapidly growing application segment is attractive said A123 because automotive OEMs around the world are steadily turning towards simpler forms of electrification in their mainstream high-volume vehicle lines to address the ever-increasing regulatory requirements of lower emissions and better fuel economy around the world. The company believes its battery technology is very well suited to the requirements of this market and it is currently producing 12-volt micro-hybrid batteries for numerous programs across three vehicle manufacturers.

The company explained it also continues to actively serve and grow its customer base in the fields of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles globally. With the recent integration of battery production and engineering facilities in Hangzhou, China, which were previously under the management of Wanxiang EV, A123 has expanded its battery technology portfolio to include additional products well suited to the requirements of electric cars and buses.

“Our move to sharpen focus on current and future customers in the global transportation market demonstrates strategic clarity in our business. Our customers and partners around the world will benefit from the organization focusing its R&D strength and system engineering capabilities on clear priorities,” said Jason Forcier, CEO of A123 Systems. “We look forward to continued growth as a provider of leading-edge energy storage technology to the world’s vehicle manufacturers as they continue to develop the most economical forms of electrification.”

The divested businesses are being sold to NEC Corporation of Japan which intends to incorporate them into its Smart Energy Business Unit.

The former A123 Energy Solutions facilities in Westborough, Massachusetts and Chesterfield, Missouri are included in the deal. As part of the transaction, A123 will retain all of its cell manufacturing locations globally including those in Michigan and China and become a key cell supplier to NEC.